2025 AMC 8 Problems/Problem 6

Problem

Sekou writes the numbers $15, 16, 17, 18, 19.$ After he erases one of his numbers, the sum of the remaining four numbers is a multiple of $4.$ Which number did he erase?

$\textbf{(A)}\ 15\qquad \textbf{(B)}\ 16\qquad \textbf{(C)}\ 17\qquad \textbf{(D)}\ 18\qquad \textbf{(E)}\ 19$

Solution 1

The sum of all five numbers is $85$. Since $85$ is $1$ more than a multiple of $4$, the number subtracted must be $1$ more than a multiple of $4$. Thus, the answer is $\boxed{\textbf{(C)}~17}$. ~Gavin_Deng

Solution 2

The sum of the residues of these numbers modulo $4$ is $-1+0+1+2+3=5 \equiv 1 \pmod 4$. Hence, the number being subtracted must be congruent to $1$ modulo $4$. The only such answer is $\boxed{\textbf{(C)}~17}$. ~cxsmi

Solution 5

We try out every number using Brute Force and get $\boxed{\textbf{(C)}~17}$

Note that this is not very practical and it is very time-consuming.

Video Solution 1 by SpreadTheMathLove

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jTTcscvcQmI

Video Solution 2 by Thinking Feet

https://youtu.be/PKMpTS6b988

Video Solution by Daily Dose of Math

https://youtu.be/nkpdskFVgdM

~Thesmartgreekmathdude

See Also

2025 AMC 8 (ProblemsAnswer KeyResources)
Preceded by
Problem 5
Followed by
Problem 7
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All AJHSME/AMC 8 Problems and Solutions

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